Resveratrol, a plant-derived antioxidant, may provide anti-inflammatory benefits for humans, according to findings published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
As a result of successful trials using resveratrol in animals, researchers wanted to determine if humans would experience similar effects. For six weeks, the team had 10 people take a supplement containing the antioxidant and compared them to 10 people who took a placebo.
Participants also had blood drawn at the beginning of the study and after weeks one, three and six weeks.
The investigators discovered that the supplement helped remove free radicals from the body produced inflammatory compounds. The results also showed removing these toxins lowered the resveratrol groups risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cognitive degenerate disorders.
The researchers concluded that while study participants did benefit from the supplement, other compounds may have also contributed to reducing inflammation.
Paresh Dandona , lead author of the study, stated that “the product we used has only 20 percent resveratrol, so it is possible that something else in the preparation is responsible for the positive effects.” He added that “purer preparations now are available and we intend to test those.”
In addition to taking antioxidant-enriched supplements, people interested in natural alternatives to inflammation relief can include fish oil, ginger and green tea to their diet, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine reports